Team: 2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 19, 2017

Published: Jan. 31, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Trades aren't as important as the contracts are in this AGM.

I traded for Montour because I believe he could be an NHL defenseman, and he's right handed. He also seems to be behind Theodore and Jacob Larsson in terms of value in the Ducks organization. He gives us a solid right handed option. I'm a big fan of Leipsic but maybe they would prefer someone exempt (maybe a Soshnikov) but I would be very hesitant to throw in Kapanen.

With the Trade with Las Vegas (Pittsburgh is listed) I figured that they're going to have an ambundance of defenseman, and I figured that we could snag one that they're least high on. I might not have given them enough but I don't know how many teams will be interested in trading with them.

The Biggest Issue I see the Leafs Facing is Cap Constraints. Like all good teams, the cap ceiling is the ultimate death of dynasties and the Leafs will eventually feel the pressure. I think for the time being, Lou and Co. need to continue to give out very team friendly deals. I think he's an excellent negotiator and can get some good contracts done. The 3 big contracts from this year include Zaitsev, Brown and Hyman.

Zaitsev:

I know everyone on here keeps giving him 4.5m+ but is that a good contract? Zaitsev hasn't been bad, but I think on a good team he's more of a 3/4 defender. This contract is nearly identical to Travis Hamonic's. Zaitsev also chose Toronto, making it obvious that he wants to play here. He's also RFA so we can leverage it over him.

Brown:

At the beginning of the year I had him signing a bridge deal for 2 years at barely above 1m. But after his production, I think it might be best to give him long term money. This contract is very comparable to Brendan Gallagher and Rickard Rakell. He's a Toronto Native who I think feels very comfortable playing here. I could even see him taking around 3.25m as he grew up here and he's always played locally and he gets to see his family a lot.

Hyman:

Another Toronto native might be a good player to sign long term. He's a hardworking penalty killer that also can play top minutes. I gave him a 4yr x 2.5 but its not one that I'm completely happy with. Right now he's killing it, but I'm partially worried he could end up being a 4th line penatly killer, which isn't bad, just not worth it financially. If the Leafs management feels comfortable I think I would be okay extending him longer. Ideally he would take the Calle Jarnkrok deal, but that might be difficult (although he is the same age Calle was when he signed the contract). 4 x 2.5 I think is alright but I would be curious to hear what others think.

I think It's really important to realize that in today's game, you can't overpay by a cent. The Leafs are in a really good position in the fact that they're starting to become a destination. Local boys want to play for the Leafs and are more willing to take a discounted deal, and as well endorsement deals are much more lucrative in the big city.

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